A group of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers allegedly assaulted a shopkeeper in Mumbai’s Vikhroli area on Wednesday after accusing him of posting a WhatsApp status that they believed demeaned the Marathi language and community.
A clip of the altercation was soon going viral on social media Thursday, inviting widespread outrage and condemnation.
Based on sources, the shopkeeper is a member of the Marwari community and had posted a status update that was considered offensive by a number of MNS members toward Marathi-speaking individuals. The altercation occurred when the workers went to his shop, chastised him for the post, and physically attacked him apparently after not finding his apology sufficient.
In the video that has gone viral, MNS workers, such as party worker Vishwajeet Dholam, are visible interrogating the shopkeeper and then taking him around the locality in a procession.
The party has stood up for itself, stating the man had "disrespectful remarks" against the Marathi people.
Talking to the media, MNS leader Avinash Jadhav said,
We do not wish to display our might. But if someone ventures into Maharashtra, makes his living here, and then goads the Marathi language, the Marathi man will surely respond."
As yet, no official complaint has been filed with the police in regard to the incident.
This incident comes on the heels of another case on June 29 in the Mira Road region, in which a shop owner was allegedly attacked by MNS workers regarding language problems.
In that regard, Baboolal Khimaji Choudhary, who resides in Bhayander (East), claimed that seven unknown men entered his shop and informed him that the Maharashtra Assembly has decreed that businesses must hire Marathi-speaking employees and operate in Marathi. When Choudhary replied by informing them that every language is spoken in Maharashtra, the men allegedly became violent and attacked him.
That event triggered a countrywide uproar, particularly from communities that did not speak Marathi. Even some members of MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) organized protests in the region. In its wake, police filed an FIR against seven accused on the complaint of the shopkeeper.
